He is being reinstated.
Westminster, Md (KM) A Carroll County Sheriff’s Deputy has been exonerated of allegations of corruption made by a prosecutor following a 15-month investigation.
The Maryland State Prosecutor’s Office cleared Master Deputy Sean Buenger of accusations made by Deputy State’s Attorney Jen Brady. She said in Court in May 28th, 2022, that Buenger was set up by a state trooper who fed him information about drug activity at a fake “trap house,” and alleged that the deputy wrote up a warrant and attempted to get it signed by a judge. .Brady stated that the State Police rushed to have the warrant “pulled back” before it could be signed by a judge.
But the State Prosecutor’s Office said there’s no evidence this incident took place, and no evidence of any investigation against Deputy Buenger by the State Police. .
A news release from the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office says State prosecutors also interviewed those who attended a meeting on February 2nd, 2022, where a state trooper made allegations against Deputy Buenger. No one at the meeting says they heard such allegations being discussed, the State Prosecutor’s Office says.
Deputy Buenger’s computer and cell phone underwent a forensic analysis, and prosecutors concluded that no search warrant was ever drafted, or attempted to be signed.
“The deputy was accused, tried, convicted and publicly hung without due process,” says Carroll County Sheriff Jim Dewees, in a statement.
Sheriff DeWees says Deputy Buenger is in the process of being reinstated, and in obtaining his necessary certifications to continue patrolling in the county. “SInce Buenger has been out for over a year, there’s things he’s missed and need to be caught up on, including in service and firearms before he can be officially reinstated,” he says.
Also, Sheriff Dewees says he plans to make several complaints to the Maryland State Bar Counsel regarding ethical violations regarding Brady and other attorneys that used this case to their advantage. “It’s hard to believe that something like this could happen in Carroll County. And people wonder why police agencies locally and across the country are having problems recruiting. These sorts of baseless allegations are what’s driving quality people from the police procession,” Dewees says.
By Kevin McManus